Our favorite Arizona wine geek, Sam Pillsbury is no longer our hidden source for entertainment and great wine. The Sundance Channel tapped him as a “Tastemaker” ambassador for Phoenix. Watch the clip where he shares his passion for wine, art and favorite places to eat… including Quiessence! Thanks Sam!

Thanks to Andrea Robinson and the morning crew at Fox 10 Arizona for highlighting Quiessence Restaurant at The Farm at South Mountain in their February edition of “Taste of the Town.” After a quick tour of the Farm property, she joined Tony in the kitchen to roll fresh pasta which turned into a quick midweek dish for viewers.

After a visit to the Valley, The Travel Channel featured Quiessence Restaurant on the list of “Top 5 in Phoenix.” The producer planned to spend one hour at The Farm, but immediately rescheduled her afternoon to enjoy an entire day with us.

A big thank you to Travel Channel filmmaker Allison who called Quiessence “Amazing seasonal organic cuisine.” Watch the video here.

ABC 15′s Sonoran Living viewers enjoyed a wintery treat from The Farm at South Mountain. Watch as Quiessence Chef de Cuisine Tony Andiario shares his family recipe for Minestra Soup with Poached Egg. Handmade pasta make a quick cameo, but nearly steal the show!

Minestra Soup with Poached Egg
Makes 1 Gallon

Ingredients
3 qts Meat Broth
4 oz. Pancetta (Diced)
1 Large Onion (Diced)
1 Large Carrot (Diced)
1 Large Celery (Diced)
1 Large Fennel (Diced)
6 Clove Garlic (sliced thin)
2 c. Cooked Lima Beans
2 c. White Wine
4 c. Tuscan Kale (cleaned and chopped)
1 Egg (Per Bowl of Soup you’re serving)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Chopped Parsley
Parmesan Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Procedure
In a large pot render the pancetta in 2 tsp of olive oil until pancetta is a light golden brown. Remove and reserve pancetta.

Sweat out the onion, carrot, celery, fennel, and garlic.

Season with salt & pepper. Deglaze with white wine, add the meat broth and simmer 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Add beans, pancetta, and greens.

Continue to simmer until greens are tender.

Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Remove a serving of soup to a smaller pot, poach an egg directly in the soup.

Serve with parsley and parmesan cheese.

We’ve had a busy spring here at Quiessence, holding first-time special events that were so successful we’ve vowed to offer them again next year! First, we threw a garden party reception, farm tour and five-course vegetarian dinner to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. Then on Mother’s Day, May 10th, we left no mom unpampered, offering a special three-course dinner, as well as hand massages for her and photos of the family, taken in the garden. But our most popular and well-attended event was Blues at Q, a mini blues festival and garden party held under the stars on May 28th. Local blues greats Bob Corritore, Paris James and Big Pete Pearson kept the patio rocking, while guests grazed on appetizers, hand-made pastas and sandwiches, washed down with local brews, wines and classic cocktails. We’re not sure how to top it, but we’ve got nearly a year to figure it all out!

One night only! Reserve your seat or ticket now!

Three top blues musicians take a break from Phoenix’s Rhythm Room concert hall and head to the open-air Farm at South Mountain for “Blues at Q,” a garden-party night of summer jazz Thursday, May 28th at 8pm. Soulful songs, heartfelt foods and local wines and beers come together for one night as Quiessence Restaurant hosts local blues legends Bob Corritore, Paris James, and Big Pete Pearson on the gorgeous outdoor patio of Morning Glory Café at the Farm at South Mountain…

Get the full details here >

Treasured guests from across the Valley joined Quiessence in celebrating Earth Day with a garden party reception, farm tour and five-course vegetarian dinner.

“Fantastic food and wonderful people, all in a true oasis of beauty and sustainability. I hope this is an annual event; if so, we would never miss it!” -a note written by a guest of the event.

Explore photos of the event in the slideshow below!

With perfect 75-degree weather and a beautiful outdoor setting, Morning Glory Cafe and Quiessence Restaurant are Phoenix’s top restaurants for patio dining. Combined, we offer breakfast, lunch and dinner under lush pecan groves by day, and lit by the stars at night. We’re located just 8 minutes from downtown Phoenix!

Outdoor Patio Breakfast:
Morning Glory Cafe at the Farm at South Mountain offers fresh and seasonal breakfast dining out on the open-air patio. The menu includes house baked muffins and pastries, locally made sausages, seasonal omelets and more. Voted one of Phoenix’s Top Breakfast Restaurants, Morning Glory Cafe offers beautiful views of the Farm’s organic gardens. Even better, we are a biker, hiker, and pet-friendly restaurant!
View Morning Glory Cafe’s menu>

Outdoor Patio Lunch: “4.5 Stars – The Arizona Republic”
Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar has been a Phoenix favorite restaurant for outdoor dinner for years. With the addition of lunch service in Fall of 2008, guests can now enjoy seasonal soups, salads, sandwiches and wines under the charming canopy of trees and amongst the Spring flowers. Perfect for weekday lunches away from the office, Quiessence’s outdoor afternoon dining offers scenic views and a fresh & seasonal menu everyday.
View Quiessence’s lunch menu>

Outdoor Patio Dinner:
Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar has been voted as one of the top 5 Most Romantic Dinner Restaurants in Arizona for 2009 and 2008. Dinner on the restaurant’s outdoor patio is lit by the stars, candles and twinkle lights while guests enjoy a fresh and daily menu featuring the season’s finest ingredients. 
View Quiessence’s dinner menu>

Make your outdoor lunch and dinner reservations by calling Quiessence at (602) 276-0601

Breakfast reservations can be made for parties of 6 or more by calling Morning Glory Cafe at (602) 276-8804

Beth and Bill host Chef Gregory LaPrad on KEZ 99.9

LIVE- Thursday, Februrary 12, 2009. Tune in to Phoenix’s own KEZ 99.9 this Thursday to hear Chef Greg LaPrad join local radio legends Beth & Bill for the Grapevine hour. Greg will be sharing Quiessence’s seasonal cuisine with Beth and Bill while discussing the Phoenix restaurant’s incredible outdoor breakfast, lunch and dinner dining.

Each week, the Beth and Bill show feature a Phoenix area restaurant along with a selected winery. The radio duo samples selected food & wine and discusses the restaurant, chef, winery and winemaker.